Ryan Wilson: Penguins Sweep Capitals, Stempniak Laying A Claim On Top Line RW Spot Penguins defeat Capitals 2-0 and sweep season series. Stempniak shines on Crosby line.

Great game all around, nice blog!

If Stemp continues with this consistency and 87 continues to be 87, will anyone miss Dupes?

Besides Fleury, Stempniak's play stood out the most to me. He is battling to get and maintain that puck. That is great to that work ethic.

Banged up Pens keep winning, really got to love that. Despres was really trying to use his frame to seperate the puck from the opposing player which was good to see but pairing him with Bortuzzo created some close calls avoiding turnovers with the puck. But it seemed their size made up for some of that. The forwards really need to be aware when those two are out there they need more help getting it out of the zone.
Pens are looking more solid with these acquisitions.

If Beau ever comes back this forward group has a chance to be solid from line 1 to line 4 and all of the doom and gloom of recent past can possibly go away.

I am still available to stir the bad blood in preparation for Saturday, btw.

canadian_manslaughter.gif
- canadianpenfan

Holy poop, Phaneuf killed him!

Holy poop, Phaneuf killed him!
- BulliesPhan87

Gotta keep your head up on the back check kid.

Gotta keep your head up on the back check kid.
- canadianpenfan

Very true. It's also a good idea to not miss your big open ice hit and accidentally kill your teammate


How was your vacation? Did you miss us?

I am still available to stir the bad blood in preparation for Saturday, btw.
- BulliesPhan87

Despres is also very good at delaying a shot from the blue line and getting it through. Very useful skillset. Without Letang and Martin, Niskanen and Maatta are really the only guys who can get shots through traffic. Good skill to have. If he can cut the penalties, him playing well would be huge in the playoffs. Him over Engelland playing on the backend could be the difference in a few games.

Very true. It's also a good idea to not miss your big open ice hit and accidentally kill your teammate


How was your vacation? Did you miss us?
- BulliesPhan87

Despres is also very good at delaying a shot from the blue line and getting it through. Very useful skillset. Without Letang and Martin, Niskanen and Maatta are really the only guys who can get shots through traffic. Good skill to have. If he can cut the penalties, him playing well would be huge in the playoffs. Him over Engelland playing on the backend could be the difference in a few games.
- Deadstar

Good velocity too

- canadianpenfan

Good velocity too
- Ryan_Wilson

No one ever mentions it but he added the hip check to his game. He's one of a few who are using it. I think Despres has been strong and had he been playing all year I think this penalty issue would be a non issue by now.

- rival22

That's the only fight Adams ever won.

Despres is also very good at delaying a shot from the blue line and getting it through. Very useful skillset. Without Letang and Martin, Niskanen and Maatta are really the only guys who can get shots through traffic. Good skill to have. If he can cut the penalties, him playing well would be huge in the playoffs. Him over Engelland playing on the backend could be the difference in a few games.
- Deadstar

Kid just needs to keep playing. It's the only way to smooth out the rough spots. That's always been my biggest annoyance. He'd have a decent game with a couple of bad patches and end up watching for next several games.

When Martin returns, it will be interesting to see who sits. Bortz or Despres. My money is on Despres.

Despres is also very good at delaying a shot from the blue line and getting it through. Very useful skillset. Without Letang and Martin, Niskanen and Maatta are really the only guys who can get shots through traffic. Good skill to have. If he can cut the penalties, him playing well would be huge in the playoffs. Him over Engelland playing on the backend could be the difference in a few games.
- Deadstar

It would be ideal, but I agree he has to stop taking penalties, especially late ones. He isn't winning board battles the way you would like to see either. He seems unsure of what to do sometimes when he gets the puck down low in his own zone and ends up holding onto it too long and often losing possession. He would be better served rifling the puck off the glass and taking an icing. You can see the talent though, it's there. I think he just needs to make better, faster decisions with the puck in his own end.

I don't want to compare him to Mattaa, but the poise shown with the puck in their own zone is night and day between those two.

Then again, I heart Mattaa, he's been unbelievable.

That's the only fight Adams ever won.
- dbell646

I think you have to mark the win a disqualification for hair pulling.

That's the only fight Adams ever won.
- dbell646

I still don't think he even landed a punch.

I think you have to mark the win a disqualification for hair pulling.
- BulliesPhan87

It's a fight anything goes in my opinion. I've never said a bad word about Scottie for biting Letang. Gotta do what you gotta do.

I think you have to mark the win a disqualification for hair pulling.
- BulliesPhan87

Anything is acceptable against a biter.

Street fighting 101.

It's a fight anything goes in my opinion. I've never said a bad word about Scottie for biting Letang. Gotta do what you gotta do.
- dbell646

It's certainly never dull when these teams get pissed off at each other.

I still don't think he even landed a punch.
- canadianpenfan

Come on that one right glanced his helmet.

Anything is acceptable against a biter.

Street fighting 101.
- canadianpenfan

I hope Scottie is sharpening his teeth in preparation right now.